Green Synthesis of CuO-TiO2 Nanoparticles for the Degradation of Organic Pollutants: Physical, Optical and Electrochemical Properties

Abstract

CuO-TiO2 nanocomposites were successfully synthesized using the C. benghalensis plant extracts. The effect of the composition of CuO to TiO2 on the morphological, optical, electrochemical, and photodegradation efficiency in the composites was studied. SEM, XRD, UV-vis, FTIR, TGA, BET, and CV were used to characterize these materials. The XRD data reported the tenorite structure of the CuO and the anatase phase of the TiO2. SEM showed the spherical morphologies for all the CuO-TiO2 NPs, and these were also mesoporous in nature, as depicted by BET. The voltammogram of the CuO-TiO2 30/70 electrode showed a higher response current density compared to the other two samples, suggesting a higher specific capacitance. Upon testing the photocatalytic efficiencies of the CuO-TiO2 nanocomposites against methylene blue (MB), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and sulfisoxazole (SSX), the highest degradation of 94% was recorded for SSX using the CuO-TiO2 30/70 nanocomposites. Hydroxyl radicals were the primary species responsible for the photodegradation of SSX, and the material could be reused once. The most active species in the photodegradation of SSX has been identified as OH•. From this study, it can be noted that the CuO-TiO2 nanocomposites were more selective toward the degradation of antibiotics (sulfisoxazole and ciproflaxin) as compared to dyes (methylene blue).

Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Synthesis of Heterostructured TiO2/CuxO Films for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting Applications

“…57 The peak at 1055 cm −1 is related to OH vibrations. 55,56 On the basis of the reported results, we can assume that the peaks at 768, 655 and 420 cm −1 correspond to Ti-O and O-Ti-O vibrations, and the peaks at 580, 490 cm −1 correspond to Cu-O vibrations.…”

“…Two new absorption bands had appeared at 580, 490 cm −1 for TiO 2 /Cu x O. It was reported that 53,[55][56][57] Meanwhile, Cu-Ti vibrations are located at 540 cm −1 . 57 The peak at 1055 cm −1 is related to OH vibrations.…”

Biosynthesis of Gold- and Silver-Incorporated Carbon-Based Zinc Oxide Nanocomposites for the Photodegradation of Textile Dyes and Various Pharmaceuticals

“…Previous studies have reported an absorbance band at 379 nm, corresponding to the ZnO absorption peak, and the Ag NPs peak at 402 nm [58]. The corresponding bandgap for 1% Ag-ZnO-CSs was determined to be 3.75 eV by extrapolating the linear region of Tauc's plot [62]. This value is slightly higher than the 3.33 eV bandgap reported by Kotlhao et al [59].…”

Eco-friendly innovation: harnessing nature’s blueprint for enhanced photocatalysis and antimicrobial potential in multi-structured PN/ZnO nanoparticles

“…But, the required Zanthoxylum armatum mediated ZnO catalyst's dose is six times higher and comparative dye concentration is also smaller. On the other hand, PN/ZnO has also improved degradation efficiency as compared to other green-derived metal oxides acting as photocatalysts, which have extended time periods but the degradation is still not impressive [117][118][119][120]. Consequently, the present PN/ZnO photocatalyst emerges as a promising candidate, showcasing superior performance in the realm of photocatalysis.…”